Alarm sending station



Feb. 4, 1958 w. G. HOLMES ALARM SENDING STATION Filed Dec. 7, 1955 142 1.1 J) J16 J1? United States Patent ALARM SENDING STATION Willis G. Holmes, Pembroke, Mass.

Application December 7, 1955, Serial No. 551,553

13 Claims. (Cl. 200-168) This invention relates to improvements in alarm sigrial sending apparatus of the type wherein a station such as a fire alarm box has a concealed actuating means which becomes accessible by way of breaking a shatterable confining member.

One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide an alarm box or signaling station of the breakglass and concealed lever type which minimizes the possibility of injury to the operator from broken or fiying glass. Other objects are to provide a signal sending station of the break-glass type which after operation presents a readily apparent external indication that it has been operated, to provide such a station which can be readily and effectively weatherproofed by conventional means, to provide such a device whose shatterable element is of the utmost simplicity and can be easily replaced with a spare element, and to provide a device of the above-mentioned type which can also be used as a weather and dust-resistant protective cover for the actuating lever of fire alarm or similar signaling apparatus, such as a watchmans reporting station.

The following summary of the nature and substance of the invention for obtaining the above objects serves to define it, in one of its principal aspects, as a manually operable signal sending station comprising, on a mounting base that carries switch actuating means accessible from its front, a cover which is hinged to the base and has a lock for moving, such as by means of a key, a latch means on the inside of the cover, such as an eccentrically rotatable plate, which latch means is adapted and arranged to engage a keeper means of shatterable material that is mounted on the front of the base and is normally concealed within the cover in such a manner that the latch means reaches in locking position into the space between the keeper means and the base, engaging the keeper, whereas the unlocking operation of the key means withdraws the latch means from any possible contact with the keeper means. In a preferred embodiment elastically yielding means are provided which tend to push the cover outwardly from the base on its hinge; these spring means can be conveniently incorporated in an actuator for the switch means such that upon opening of the cover the actuator is automatically moved to operate the switch means. The keeper means is preferably a breakable glass rod or tube which rests loosely in recesses of two bosses or fingers of the base which extend towards the cover which thus fully protects the keeper. This breakable member is strong enough to keep the door normally closed by way of engagement with the latch means, while it can be quite easily shattered by pulling on the cover. One or more spare glass rods can be conveniently attached to the base or the cover, for replacement of a broken keeper of this type. In a preferred embodiment the mounting base has a rooflike extension protruding over the hinge of the cover which thus requires only three side walls for fully protecting the keeper and switch actuating members. The signalfs'tation according to the invention is easily adaptable either for operation of a switch actuator merely by opening the cover-or for protecting a manually operable actuator which is moved by separate manipulation after the cover has been forced open, with or without spring means for keeping the cover either open or shut.

These and other objects, and aspects of the nature of the invention will appear from the herein presented description of two typical embodiments illustrating its novel characteristics. The description refers to a drawing in which Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a fire alarm station according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a section on lines 2-2 of Fig. 1, showing the alarm box proper as well as, somewhat separated therefrom, a switch confining and station mounting box, and a weatherproofing gasket that can be inserted therebetween;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation similar to Fig. 1 but with the cover fully raised to show the shattered keeper as well as a spare keeper; and

Fig. 4 is an elevation similar to Fig. 3 with a manually operable switch actuator and an intact keeper.

Figs. 1 and 2 indicate at 11 a mounting base with a back plate 11.1 that has an opening 11.12 for a conventional switch S fastened in the opening with a nipple and nut connector 1113. The base has further a top wall or roof-piece 11.2 with a depending lip 11.3 and two side pieces 11.5 and 11.6 which together form a protective recess for the cover.

In the present embodiment, the switch S is operated by means of a push-button s which is in conventional manner provided with spring means which urge it outwardly into the position shown in dot and dash lines in Fig. 2, at so. If convenient, a terminal block st can be fastened to the rear of the back plate 11.1, as indicated in Fig. 2.

The back plate 11.2 has two extensions or ears 12.1 and 12.2 which are perforated at 12.5 as shown in Fig. 2, and which carry inserted therein a glass rod or tube 15 which constitutes the above-discussed shatterable keeper member. As indicated in Fig. 3, a spare rod 15s can be fastened to the front of the back wall 11.1 by means of a clip 16 and a screw and nut 16.1 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

The cover 21 has a front plate 21.1 with a push button contacting face 21.3 and two side walls 21.5 and 21.6, as shown in Figs. 2. and 3. The side walls 21.5 and 21.6 are rounded at their upper edges, as indicated in Fig. 2. At the opposite end, the side walls are connected by a bottom wall 21.7 which, together with the upper portions of the side walls 21.5 and 21.,6 form a cavity 21.9 which permits an easy grip on the cover.

The cover front plate 21.1 carries a lock 25 with a keyhole 25.1 and a keyhole cover 25.2. On the inside, the lock has a latch 26 which can be rotated by means of a key, from the locking position shown in Fig. 2 and in dotted lines also in Fig. 1, into the unlocked position shown in dot and dash lines at 26a of Fig. 1. In locked position, the latch 26 reaches into the space between the glass rod 15 and the back wall 11.1 of the base, whereas in unlocked position it releases the shatterable keeper 15 as shown in Fig. 1.

On its outside, the cover carries, such as cast thereinto, the legends 27 Fire and 28 Full, and if desired a plate 2.9 for a firm name or instructions, or similar matter.

The cover is fastened to the mounting base by means of a hinge pin 41 which is inserted through two holes one each in the side walls 11.5 and 11.6 of the mountingbase, as indicated at 11.51 and 11.61 of Fig. 1, and through two holes in the side walls 21.5 and 21.6 of the cover, as

- indicated at 21.51 and 21.61 of Figs. 2 and 3, r

Patented Feb. 4, 1958- bosses 31.5 which, similar to thebottom wall 31.3, havetapped holes 31.6, 31.7 for screws which can be inserted through holes 31.61 and 31.71. The mountingboxSl also has conventional tapped holes 31.8 and31.9 for tubing or similar conduit carrying. means. Holes 32.1. 32.2 are provided for mounting screws. A gasket 35, made of'neoprene or similar material can be inserted between the back plate 11.1 and the front edges of. the box 31, for weatherproofing the assembly.

The embodiment shown in Fig. 4 has, instead of the switch S withpush-button s, an actuating leverL pivoted on the plate 11.1 by means of ashaft 51 which is carried through the back plate 11.1 by way of a suitable opening 52. An arrow 55, applied for example by castinginto the back plate 11.1, supplies the operating direction to turn the lever L downwardly in case of emergency, after the cover has been opened.

' Instead of utilizing the spring of switch S for opening the cover, a separate spring or similar means canbe provided for this purpose. It is then possible to replace the push button that automatically actuates the switch ;as it opens the cover with a manually operated switch, for example a toggle switch.

Embodiments similar to that shown in Fig. 4 are usually employed to actuate coding senders which identify the sending station with their code at the receiver; it'isthen unnecessary to provide means for keeping thedoor open to indicate the operated station. 7 On the contrary it maybe desirable in such an instance to provide means for returning the door into closed position. i V i 1 The operation of the above-described devices is as folows:

The cover 21 is normally closed, with the latch 26 en gaging the keeper 15, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2. T The glass rod or similar element is of sufficient strength to keep the box closed under normal conditions. The box can be opened without alfecting the keeper, by operating the key to turn the latch 26 into the position 2611 as indicated in Fig. 1.

In case of emergency, the cover is forced openpreferably by grasping the lower end marked PULL at the cavity 21.9 and by pulling it outwardly, so that the latch 26 shatters the keeper 15, as indicated in Fig. 3. The push-button s is at the same time permitted to. move outwardly thereby operating the switch S which in. turniactuates any convenient fire or other alarm installation.

The keeper 15 having been eliminated, it is now impossible to retain the cover 21 closed against the pressure of button s; it remains in the open position indicated with dot and dash lines in Fig. 2, thus announcingthe. postoperative condition of the station.

In order to restore the station to normal condition, it is only necessary to reinsert a keeper 15, for example by using the one stored as indicated at 15? of Fig. 3, which stored member should then of course be replaced by the supervisory personnel. After replacement of the keeper,

the box can again be closed1and'restor edto the normal.

condition by turning the latch 26 to the positionindicated in Fig. 2. t

It will be noted that breaking of the keeper 15 cannot injure the operator, since-the pieces will beinitially confined within the cover walls and fallout smoothly and without scattering when the cover is fullyopened.

In the embodiment according to Fig. 4,, the coveris a height ,sufiicient for reaching a manually operated switch on plate 11.1.

It will now be evident that, in one of its aspects, the invention is not confined to the field of signaling devices in the strict meaning of that term; for example, instead of a fire alarm sender, the box can contain a switch for initiating an emergency shut off, for example of an oil burner. Also, instead of containing switch or signal sending means, boxes, accordingtothe invention may be used for confining other devices or articles that are to be normally inaccessible while accessible in an emergency, such asfor' example a key to'an emergency'door, or to separate emergency signaling or shut-ofi apparatus.

It should be understood that the present disclosure is for the purpose of illustration only and that this invention includes all modifications and equivalents which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim: a

l. A manually operable alarm sending station comprising: a mounting base carrying switch actuating means that are accessibie from the front of the base; hinged to said base a cover carrying lock meansthat are operable from the outside of the closed cover and have. latch means on the inside of the cover; and, mounted on the front of.

the base, and normally concealed within said cover, keeper means made of shatterable material and arranged for engagement by said'latch means; whereby the cover can be lockedby. engaging the latch means and the keeper means, and the cover can be opened in an emergency and the; switch actuating means operated bypulling the cover open. afterbreaking the keeper means with the latch means. 7

2. A station according prises means for yieldingly exerting a force against. the

cover in-closed position but for holding the unlatched cover partly open, thus indicating the unlocked condition of the station.

3. A station according to 'claiml wherein said switch actuating means include a-yielding push button which presses against a solid portion of the closed cover when the cover is latched while forcing the cover open when the box is unlocked either by disengaging the latch means and the keeper means or by breaking the. keeper means with the latch means.

4. A station according to claim 1 wherein said latch means includes a plate that is eccentrically rotatable in a plane substantially parallel to said mounting base for direct engagement of said keeper means on the side facing said front of the base.

5. A station according to claim 2 for vertical mounting of the mounting base, wherein said cover is hinged to the upper end of the base, tending to swing towards the base by gravity.

6. A station according toclaim 5 wherein said cover is. inwardly recessed to form side walls'which engage said mounting base to encloseits front when the cover is closed, and wherein the upper side of said cover is open and said upper endof said mounting base is recessed to receive the upper hinged end of said cover whereby the front of the base is fully protected when the cover is closed while the keeper means are accessible when the cover is fully opened after having been partly opened by said force exerting means .to indicate the unlocked condition of the station. V V

7..A manually operable alarm sending station comprisingz amounting base carrying switch actuating push button means'including means forurging the push button means outwardly; hinged to said base a cover carrying lockmeansthat are operable from the-outside of the closed cover. and have latch means on the inside of the cover, said cover having a solid face portion for contact-- ing said push button means to retain it depressed when the coveris'closed; and mounted on the front of the base,

and normally concealed within said cover, keeper means of shatterable material; whereby the cover'can be locked and the push buttonrneans kept depressed by engaging to claim 1 which further com-.

the latch means and the keeper means, and the cover can be opened in an emergency and the switch actuating means operated by the advancing push button means after breaking the keeper means with the latch means by pulling the cover open which is then retained open by the push button means to indicate performance of an operation.

8. A manually operable alarm sending station comprising: a mounting base having a back plate with means for mounting switch actuating means, and a recess at one of its shorter sides; a cover having a rim on three sides fitting said back plate, and one open side which fits into said recess of said mounting base; means for hinging said open side of said cover within said recess of said mounting base; keeper mounting means on said base within said rim of said cover; shatterable keeper means removably insorted in said keeper mounting means; mounted on said cover latch means capable of reaching into the space between said keeper means and said back wall; and means on the outside of the cover for moving said latch means to clear the keeper means; whereby the cover can be closed by pressing it towards the back plate and turning the latch to reach under the keeper means, and the cover can be forcibly opened by pulling it to break the keeper means whereupon the switch means can be actuated.

9. A manually operable alarm sending station comprising: a mounting base including an essentially rectangular back plate with an opening therein, and a recess formed by a top wall, a depending lip substantially parallel to the back plate, and two side pieces extending between the lip and the back plate; switch means mounted in and filling said opening and having a normally depressed push button actuator which is spring biased to move outwardly; means for vertically mounting said base with said recess at the top and said push button actuator in front; a cover including a front plate, two side walls, a bottom wall on one short side and somewhat set back from the edge of the front plate to form with said side walls a cavity and a face for contacting said push button actuator, the front plate and the side walls fitting into said recess of the mounting base, and the side and bottom walls substantially fitting said back plate; a hinge pin extending through holes in said side pieces of said mounting base and through holes near the open ends of said side walls of said cover, thus hinging the cover on the mounting base with the open side of the cover within said recess of the base; two fingers extending from said back plate within the corners formed by said side and bottom walls of the cover, and having aligned perforations spaced from the back plate; a glass rod inserted through said perforations; and a lock in said front plate of said cover having key receiving means on the outside and a latch on the inside, said latch being arranged for rotation by key means between a position reaching into the space between said glass rod and said back plate and a position clearing the rod; whereby the cover can be closed against the push button bias by pressing it towards the back plate and by turning the latch with a key to reach under the glass rod, and the cover can be forcibly opened by grasping the cavity of the cover and pulling the cover open by breaking the glass rod, whereupon the switch means is actuated by the advancing push button actuator and the actuation is indicated by the partly open position of the cover due to the biasing force of the push button actuator.

10. Confining means of the break-glass type comprising: a mounting base having on its front means for mounting a member that is to be normally inaccessible; hinged to said base a cover with lock means that are operable from the outside of the closed cover and have latch means on the inside of the cover; on said base two lugs extending under said cover and each having a recess; and a roe loosely held in said recesses of said lugs, said latch means extending in locked position into the space between said rod and said base; whereby the cover can be locked by engaging the latch means and the glass rod, and the member on the mounting base can be made aceessible by pulling the cover open after breaking the glass rod with the latch means.

11. A manually operable alarm sending station comprising: a mounting base carrying switch actuating means that are accessible from the front of the base; hinged to said base a cover carrying lock means that are operable from the outside of the closed cover and have latch means on the inside of the cover; and, mounted on the front of the base, and normally concealed Within said cover, keeper means including a glass rod held on said mounting base substantially parallel thereto such that said latch means can engage it in the space between the base and the rod; whereby the cover can be locked by engaging the latch means and the keeper means, and the cover can be opened in an emergency and the switch actuating means operated by pulling the cover open after breaking the keeper means with the latch means.

12. A manually operable alarm sending station comprising: a mounting base carrying switch actuating means that are accessible from the front of the base and having two recessed lugs extending from said front; hinged to said base a cover carrying lock means that are operable from the outside of the closed cover and have latch means on the inside of the cover; and, mounted on the front of the base, and normally concealed within said cover, keeper means including a glass rod loosely held in said lugs substantially parallel to said front such that said latch means can engage it in the space between the base and the rod; whereby the cover can be locked by engaging the latch means and the keeper means, and the cover can be opened in an emergency and the switch actuating means operated by pulling the cover open after breaking the keeper means with the latch means.

13. A station according to claim 11 wherein said switch actuating means includes a lever that is carried on said mounting base for rotation in a plane parallel to the face of the base, confined within the closed cover and clearing said glass rod.

Cone Oct. 31, 1922 Edwards June 8, 1937 

